Abstract
MATURATION of the foetal hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal axis appears to be involved in the initiation of parturition in several species1,2, but the limiting determinant of this maturational process has not yet been identified. In sheep, an increase in the plasma cortisol concentration of the foetus has been observed before parturition3,4 but it has been demonstrated that this increase is not preceded by an elevation in plasma ACTH5. It has been suggested that there is a maturation of the foetal adrenal responsiveness to ACTH stimulation6,7 and perhaps activation of those enzymes specifically associated with cortisol production8. Recently we have shown that a primary prostaglandin, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), is present in the plasma of the foetal lamb and that its concentration increases during late pregnancy9. Here we examine the possibility that prostaglandins may be an essential factor in the stimulation of corticosteroid production in the foetus and report a very rapid increase in foetal corticosteroids during PGES infusion into the common carotoid artery of foetal lambs.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Liggins, G. C., Fairclough, R. J., Grieves, S. A., Kendall, J. Z., and Knox, B. S., Rec. Progr. Hormone Res., 29, 111–159 (1973).
Challis, J. R. G., and Thorburn, G. D., Br. Med. Bull., 31, 57–62 (1975).
Bassett, J. M., and Thorburn, G. D., J. Endocr., 44, 285–286 (1969).
Nathanielsz, P. W., Comline, R. S., Silver, M., and Paisey, R. E., J. Reprod. Fert. Suppl., 16, 39–59 (1972).
Rees, L. H., Jack, P. M. D., Thomas, A. L., and Nathanielsz, P. W., Nature, 253, 274–275 (1975).
Madill, D., and Bassett, J. M., J. Endocr., 58, 75–87 (1973).
Bassett, J. M., and Thorburn, G. D., in Endocrinology of Pregnancy and Parturition (edit. by Pierrepoint, C. G.), 126–157 (Alpha Omega Alpha, Cardiff, 1973).
Anderson, A. B. M., Pierrepoint, C. G., Turnbull, A. C., and Griffiths, K., Endocrinology of Pregnancy and Parturition (edit. by Pierrepoint, C. G.), 23–39 (Alpha Omega Alpha, Cardiff, 1973).
Challis, J. R. G., Dilley, S. R., Robinson, J. S., and Thorburn, G. D., Prostaglandins, 11, 1041–1052 (1976).
Boddy, K., Dawes, G. S., Fisher, R., Pinter, S., and Robinson, J. S., J. Physiol. Lond., 243, 599–618 (1974).
Challis, J. R. G., Davies, I. J., Benirschke, K., Hendrickx, A. G., and Ryan, K. J., Endocrinology, 96, 185–192 (1975).
Thomas, S. J., Wilson, D. W., Pierrepoint, C. G., Cameron, E. H. D., and Griffiths, K., J. Endocr., 68, 181–189 (1976).
Boddy, K., Jones, C. T., Mantell, C., Ratcliffe, J. G., and Robinson, J. S., Endocrinology, 94, 254–257 (1974).
Novy, M. J., Piasecki, G., and Jackson, B. T., Prostaglandins, 5, 543–555 (1974).
Davies, I. J., and Ryan, K. J., J. Endocr., 58, 485–491 (1973).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LOUIS, T., CHALLIS, J., ROBINSON, J. et al. Rapid increase of foetal corticosteroids after prostaglandin E2. Nature 264, 797–799 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/264797a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/264797a0
This article is cited by
-
Attenuation of ductus arteriosus intimal thickening in preterm sheep twins compared with singletons
The Journal of Physiological Sciences (2017)
-
Is α MSH a trophic hormone to adrenal function in the foetus?
Nature (1977)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.